2 Timothy

THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO

Timothy

Salutation

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving and Encouragement

3 I am grateful to Godwhom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors didwhen I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.
6For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;
7for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God,
9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
11For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher,*12and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.*13Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
14Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

15 You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain;
17when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly* searched for me and found me
18may the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well how much service he rendered in Ephesus.

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

2You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus;
2and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.
3Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldiers aim is to please the enlisting officer.
5And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules.
6It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops.
7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of Davidthat is my gospel,
9for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.
10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11The saying is sure:If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithfulfor he cannot deny himself.

A Worker Approved by God

14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God* that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.
15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
16Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,
17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some.
19But Gods firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and, Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.

20 In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary.
21All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned* will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work.
22Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

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A further 42 verses have been omitted.